Door mechanism



Ge 25 1927' c. c. TOMKINSON noon uscnmrsm Filed' se f. 15, 1922 5' Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR Cfiar/es Ybmh'msan A TTORNE Y Oct. 25 1927. 1,646,432

1 c. c. TOMKINSON I noon macmmxsm Filed Sept/.15, 1922 5 Shgets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR I Char/es 6'. Tbmhhswz ATTORNEY Oct. 9 C. C. TOMKINSON v DOOR MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1922 5 Shgets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR ATTORNEY (bar/e5 fiTa/nhhaan 369w BY 4/ Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. f

cnnnnns o. TOMKINSON, or PLAINFIELD, ew JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO J. EDWARD OGDEN, or MoUnrAInvI LE, NEwYoRK.

- noon MECHANISM. 1

a Application filed September .15, :1922. Serial No. 588,297.

I This invention relates to doors such asare used for closing large. openings 1n warehouses, pier sheds and like structures and more particularly to a common type of such doors which are mounted to raise and swing inwardly to inclined or horizontal position in order to conserve head room... Counterbalancing means is providedtofacilitate the operation of the doors-and one of the prob lems encountered in connection with doors of this character is the provision of correct counterbalance at all points in the cycle. Another-problem is to secure the proper closing of the door and the retention of the door in closed position against severe external lateral pressures, such as Wind pressures. V v

These problems have been particularly worked out'in connection with the link type of door in which the door is swung inwardly and supported by links as. distinguished from those inwhich tracks perform this function. u I

' One of the objects of the invention is to provide door counterbalancing mechanism constructed and arranged to furnish the necessary counterbalancing effect during the break out period of the door opening movement. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a door mounting and counterbalancing mechansim and connections for the link type door so constructed and arranged as to permit a vertical movement of the door prior to or during the breakout.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door mounting and counterbalancing mechanism and connections fora link type door so constructed and arranged as to permit a vertical movement of the door prior to or'during the break out and to secure additional counterbalancing effect during this movement. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a counterbalancing mechanism for link type doors so constructed and arranged as to provide a vertical component of'the counterbalancing force during the vertical movement of the door or door sections prior to or during the break out.

Another object of the invention is to se cure the proper closing and the retention in closed position scribed.

Another object of the invention is to of doors of the type deutilize the connections between the counterbalancing weight and door as a link for supporting and swinging the door.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings which forma part of th s application andin which Fig. 1 is an elevational view, somewhat diagrammatic showing atwo section door, counterbalancing mechanism and the connections therebetween, the door being shown in closed position. v

. 2 is a view similarto Fig; 1 but showing the door sections in overlapping position and substantially at the upper limit of their vertical movement.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but show-' ing the door'sections in; full openposition.

Fig. i is an elevation on an enlargedscale of one of the sheaves and latching means therefor.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the fast'and loose sheaves over which the counterbalancing cable or chain passes and of the latch cooperating with the loose sheave. Fig. 6 is an elevation similar to Fig. 4 but showing another embodiment of the inven tion. 7 Fig. 7- is an elevational view showing the fast sheave and showing the latch in section and a portion of the cable or chain passing over the fast sheave.

showing the door sections in wide open position. f 1

Fig. 11 is an elevational view showing another embodiment of the invention, the door sections being shown in closed position.

Fig. 12 is an elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 11, the door sections being shown in overlapping position.

' Fig. 13 is an elevational view of the construct-ion'shown in Figs. 11 and 12 but showing thedoor in wide'open position.

Fig. 14 is 'asectional elevation on an enlarged scale showing the mounting for the upper end of the link and the bracket or socket which cooperates with the upper door section during the -break out and closing 7 when the sections are movement of the structure shown in Figs. 11-13.

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation of the link mounting shown in. Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an elevational view showing an- 1 other form of bracket or socket for pertorm- Fig. is anelevation of the construction shown in Figs. 18 and 19 but showing the door sections in wide open position.

Fig. 21 is an elevational view showing a modification of the construction shown" in Figs. 18-20 inclusive.

Fig. 22 is an elevational view showing another torm of bracket for guiding and" limitingthe movement of the chain shown in Figs. 18-20inclusive. i r

Fig. 23 is an elevation similar to Fig. but showing another form of chain guiding and limiting means.

Fig. 24 is an elevational viewshowing another form of the invention, the door sec tions being shown in closed position.

Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 24 showing the door sections in overlapping position. I

Fig. 26 is a view similar to Figs. 24 and but showingthe door sections in wide open position.

Fig. 27 is a detail elevation on an enlarged scale showing amechanism forpermitting the vertical movement of the door sections,

the parts being shown in the position taken when the sections are in closed position, and

Fig. 28 shows the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 27 with the parts in the position taken in overlapping position. 1

The invention may be briefly described as consisting of a door comprising one or more sections and movable vertically and laterallyto inclined or horizontal position and as further consisting oi counterbalancmg means so connected to' the door or door sec- 1 tions as to facilitate the movement of the door to open position. Various forms of connections are shown for breaking out the door and for supporting and swinging the door to open position. In all of the forms of the invention, however, the door may be termed alink type door and the link connections are so constructed. and connected to the door as to permit vertical movementv of balancing weight 40 is provided.

the door or door sections prior to or during the break out. In certain forms of the invention the cables connected to the counterweight are utilized as links and in other forms thelinks are adapted to vary in length provided at its lower end with rollers disposed in vertical guideways 33 and the section has also a bracket 34 adapted to engage, as shown in: Fig. 2, the lowerend 35 ot' the upper section when the twosections are in overlapping position. Suitable guides are also provided on the upper section for guiding thelower section with-respect thereto. a

The upper section 31 has mounted thereon, preferably at its lateral edges, rollers 86 disposed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in cams or guiding brackets 37 having vertical portions 38 and curved or breakout portions 39.

Separate counterbalancing weights may be provided for each door section, if desired, or asshown in the drawings, a single counter- The weight 40 has a sheave 41 secured to its upper end and theconterbalancing cable 42 extends around this sheave and has its ends connected respectively at some point such as 43 to the lower section 30 and at some point intermediate the upper and lower edges of. the upper section 31 as shown at 44. The chain or cable 42 extends intermediate the sheave 41 and the point 43 on thelower section 30 around a sheave 45 secured fast to a shaft 46. The other end of the cable intermediate the point 4.4 on the upper section 31 and the sheave 41passes around a sheave 47 loosely mounted or mounted for rotation on the shaft 46. If chains are used as cables. the sheaves 45 and 47 will preferably be chain pocket sheaves.

The loose sheave 47 has fOtlIlGdtllGlGDll a projection or tooth 48 which extends ou wardly from the periphery thereof. This tooth is adapted to be engaged bya hook 49 pivoted at50 on a fixedpivot' and the hook 49 has a lateral extension 51 disposed vertically over the fast sheave 45 (see Fig. 5). The portion of the cable 42 extendingaround the sheave .45 has secured thereto a lug 52 which in passing around the sheave 45 is adapted to engage the extension 51 on the hook 49 and lift the hook thereby releasing the loose sheave 47-an d permitting the rota-- tion thereof in a clockwise direction.

The construction shown in Figs. 15 opcrates as follows. Upon the rotation of the shaft 46 by any suitable power means, the

fast sheave 45 will be rotated thereby rais ing the lower door section to a' position overlapping the upper section 31. ,The two sections are then raised in unison vertically and during this movement the counterweight will act on the upper section 31as well as; on the lower section thereby facilitating the vertical movement. During this action'of the counterweight 40 on the upper door section, the loose sheave 47 will be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction to aposition in which the lug'or tooth 48 hasnpassed beyond the hook 49.. -The hook will therefore drop down and prevent rotation of the sheave 47 in a clockwise direction beyond the point where the tooth 48 engages the hook 49 until the release of the hook. As the lower edges of the two sections: continue to rise the rollers 36 will be guided by the curved portion 39 of the cam 37 and the sections will break out from the vertical. The action of the counterweight 401011 the upper section 31 may be continued. through this break out of thesections fromthe vertical plane. hen the sections, however, have been swung away from the vertical plane the engagement of the tooth 48 withthe hook 49 will lock the sheave 47 from rotation. weight cable 42 is connected to the sheave tion and the portion of the cable between the sheave and the point 44 will thereupon act as a link in supporting andguiding the door sections to inclined or horizontal-position. A shelf bracket 53 is provided for supporting the inner ends of the door in its wide open position. WVhen the: door sections are returned to their closed position the lug 52 will pass around the sheave and in so ,47 as shown at 56. This construction operoperates in the same manner as that already described. g Another embodiment of the invention is shown in'Figs. 8-10 inclusive. In this embodiment the door sections 30 and 31 are mounted in the same manner as those alreadyfdescribed and are counterbalanced by a. single counter-balancing weight 40 although a separate weight for each section may be used if desired. In this case,v for convenience in illustration the fast pulley is mounted above the loose pulley 6 7.

tion 30.

The cable or chain 62 is passed around the per door section 31 and the other end porsheave 61 carried by the counterweight and tion 66, that running from the fast sheave I 65, is connected at 68 to the lower door sec- Means. is provided for locking chain 62 when the door sections have moved a prede-' termined distance so that the portion 63 thereof between the loose sheave 67 and the point-64 may act as a link; This means comprises in the present instance a latch pivoted at 69 to the door casing and having a curved ar1n 70 and astop portion or abutment 71. The parts 7 0 and 71 are disposed onoppositesides of the pivot 69 and constitute in effect abell crank lever. spring 72 engages the arm 7 0 and tends tojpull the arm toward the upper door section and a stop 73 is provided inthe path of this arm for limiting the movement thereof .in an anticlockwise direction. viewing Figs. 8 10 inclusive. 1 In the closed position of the door ing projection or tripper 74 carried by the upper door section 31. This engagement as shown in Fig. 8, swings'the latch laterally and movesthe abutment 71 out of the path J of a lug or block 75 carried by the portion of the cable 62which. extends'over the loose sheave 67 and is attached to the'upper door section. The parts'are so constructed and arranged and'the arm 70 is so curved that the initial vertical movement of the upper door section in conjunction with thelower. d'oorsection, takes place and is assisted by the action of the counterweight 40 on the upper door section, When, however, this movement has taken place the block 75 is disposed below the abutment 71 and the lat ter .is moved to the'position shown in Fig. 9 and thereby retains the cable and block from. further upward" movement. The portion 63 ofthe cable or chainbetween the sheave 67 andthe point of connection 64 to .the upper door sectionthereafter acts as a link in supporting and swinging the door sections. In this connection it should be noted that in the construction shown in Figs. 1-7 and. also in the constructionshown in Figs. 8-10 and in the structures later described, as soon as the top of the door sec tions have ceased to have a vertical rise there is no further need for the additional counterbalancing effect and therefore the dispensing with this counterbalancing effect is not detrimental to the action of the door operating mechanism. 1

. In Figs. 11-15 inclusive, another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this e1nbodiment of the invention the door sections 30 and 31'are mounted for vertical and lateral movement in the same manner as that the arm70 is engaged by a laterally extendalready described. The single counterweight 40 is connected by the chain oricable 42 at 43 tothe lower sectionand through link 80 to the upper section at 44, the end of the chain or cable being connected to the bracket 82. This chain or cable passes over a fast sheave 45 anda loose sheave 47, these sheaves being shown as vertically spaced for convenience in illustrating the structure.

In this case, however, links are provided for supporting and swinging the door inwardly and such links are preferably pro vided at each edge of the door. In order however, to permit vertical as well as lateral movement of the door sections in unison, the links are pivoted at 81 to a Thelinks are connected at their lower ends as shown at 87 to the upper door section intermediate the upper andlower edgesthere of and if desired this connection may be a pin and slot connection as illustrated at 44.

In this form of the invention the break out of the door from the vertical is assisted by means of brackets 88 mounted preterably in the door casing at the side edges of the upper door section. These brackets have a cam portion 89 adapted to be engaged by rollers or studs 90 carried by the upper door section and the brackets also have formed therein sockets Sladapted to receive these rollers or studs whenthe upper door section is in its closed position. It will be noted that the bracket is so formed that a straight vertical movement of the door is permitted by the elongation of the sockets 91 and that the studs or rollers 90 move from their seats in the lower ends of the" sockets to. the upper end of the sockets and onto the break out cams 89 as the link 80 moves from its lower position in which the pivoted bracket 82 engages the stop 86, to the position in which the bracket engages the stop 85. Dur ing this movement of the links and door sections the counterbalancing. weight 40is effective (m the door section 3 1 as well as on the door section 30. After the members 90 engage the break out cams the door sections are swung to the inner position in the usual manner and in the wideopen position the studs or rollers 90 engage and by their engagement support the innere'ndot the door on shelf brackets 90. It will be understood that the counterbalancing weight '40 also acts on the upper door section during its seating or movement to closed. position, and

in the closed position the engagement of the studs or rollers 90 in the sockets 91 etfectively secures the door against lateral pressure such as windpressure.

on the upper door section has ceased.

i In Fig. 16 a slightly different form of bracket 88 isillustrated and in this form the break out cam 89? is made slightly longer and the rollers or studs 90 will start to tilt-the door before the vertical component of the pull of the counterweight 40 This component, therefore, assists in the break out movement of the door. 1

In Fig. 1'7 is illustrated another device for guiding the door sections during form of the break out movement and for returning the sections. to their closed position. This device consists of ahook 92'pivoted at 93 in a bracket 94 fixed to the door casing. A spring 95 engages the hook and tends to move the hook'in a clockwise direction and a stop96 is carried by the bracket 94 and limits the clockwise movement *of the hook. The hook 92 is engaged by the studs or rollers 90 carried by the upper door section when the door is closed and during the break out movement the hook will follow these studs due to the action of the spring 02 and willdetermine the path of movement 01 the studs and therefore of the door sections during the break out of the door and during its return to the vertical.

Still another and simple form of the invention is shown in Figs. 18 20 inclusive. In this case'the cable 42 tromthe counterweight 40 is connected at 43 and 44 to the lower and upper door sections respectively;

This cable passes over the'tast sheave 45 to the lower door section and over the loose sheave 47 to the upperdoor section. Intermediate the sheave 47 and the connection 44 to the upper door section the cahlehas secured thereto a block 100. VThis block is disposedunder an inclined cam portion 101 of a downwardly opening bracket 102 and is adapted to move during the break out movement of the door sections from the position shown in Fig. 18 tothe position shown in Fig. 19 and in this latter position it is disposed in a closed loop or socket103 inthe bracket 102. During this'movement oil" the block 100 the door sections will have moved laterally to the position shown in Fig. 19 and will have passed over the start of the break out movement. During this movement also the counterweight 40 is ettective in its action on the upper door section 31 as well as on the lower door section untilthe block 100 has moved to the position shown in Fig. 19 after which the portion of the chain or cable between the block and the point 44 will remain of constant length and therefore this portion will act asa link through the succeeding lateral and inward movement of the door sections. In Fig. 20 the sections are shown in; their innermost or wide open position with their inner end-s resting on the shelf bracket 104 and in this position the link portion of the cable may be slacked as the weight is entirely supported by the shell? bracket and by the cable connection to the lower door section.

Although no means has been shown in Figs. 18-20 forbreaking out the top of the door it will be understood that brackets similar to those shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 may be used if desired.

A slight modification of the invention shown in Figs. 18-20 is illustrated in Fig. 21 and in this latter figure a link is sub.- stituted for the portion of the cable between the block 100 and the point of connec tion 44% to the upper door section 31. A pin and slot connection is shown at thepoint 14 to permit lateral movement of the door 011 the shelf bracket 104 if such movement is desired. V

In Figs. 22 and 23 are shown other devices for guiding the block 100in its movement. Fig. 22 illustrates a bracket 106 in which the path of movement of the block 100 is entirely enclosed. Fig. 23 shows a cam 107 and illustrates a pair of rollers 108 instead of a block 100,. carried bythe cable which is connected to the upper door section, these rollers being disposed on opposite sides of the cam 107 and determining the path of movement of the cable.

.Figs. 2l28 inclusive illustrate still further means for securing a vertical movement of the door sections. In this construction the cable 5 2 from the counterweight 40 is connected to the upper and lower door sections in the manner already described. The vertical movement of the door sections is'in this instance, however, obtained througha link connection. v This link connection com prises a link .110 pivoted at 111 ton fited point preferably by a slot and pin arrangement and having a second link 112 pivotally connected to its lower end as shown at 113. The link 112 is pivoted at 114 to a bracket 115 extending laterally from the door section 31 and has formed on its lower end a projection 1.16 adapted to engage a latch 117, hereina'lter describedy, when the door sections are in their open position. When the lower section is raised into-overlapping position with the upper section. the two sections are raised vertically in unison and during this movement the link 112 is swung inwardly about the pivot 113-to the position shown in Figs. 25 and 28 in which the projection 116 at the pivoted end of the link 112 is disposed directly below the latch 1 17 pivoted at 118 to a laterally extending portion 119 formed on the link 110. The pivot pin ll talso extends laterally from link 112 and seats in a notch 114i formed in link 1 10 when the link 112 is folded. A spring120 tends tolpull the, latch downwardly and a stop 121 limits its downward movement'; The latch, however, is normally retained in movement of theparts or upon the move{ jection 116 thereby retaining the links 110 i and 112 in folded position; On the reverse ment or the door to .closed position the latch 117 will-again be. engaged by the rlug 122 thereby releasing the link 112 whereupon the parts will return to the position shown" in Fig. 24-. In this form of the invention;

therefore, it will be seen that verticalmoveme'nt of the door is permitted priorto the break out and during this movement thev counterweight 10 acts on the upperv asiwell as the lower door section. This actionmay be continued if desired through the initial break out. i

From the foregoing specification it will be clear that in each embodiment of the invention means has beenprovided. for permitting a vertical movement of the door sections prior to or during the break out and that during thls movement the counterweight mechanism is effective on both door sections.

Furthermore the vertical movement of the door in closing is utilized in connection with the brackets or sockets to insure the proper closing action and the retention of the door in closed position against'lateral pressures such aswind pressures. 1,

' Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and de- 2' scribed, it will be understood that theinvention is capable ofifurther modification and that further changes in the .lconstruction and in the arrangement of the various cooperating parts may be. made without d'eparting from the spirit or scope of the'in ventionas expressed in the followingv claims.

I What I claim is 1. A door arrangedto'move vertically and laterally and nlechanism for supportin and swinging the door, said.mechanism incliid .ing means connected with the doorarranged to haveits effective length varied during the. .part of the movement of the door when the top of the door hasavertical component of movementv and fixed during. the remainder of, the lateral door movement. i

, i 2. A door arranged to move vertically and laterally, and mechanism for supporting and swinging the door and including movable link means connected'with the door, said link means being movable longitudinally during the vertical rise olfth-e top of the door and being locked against longitudinal movement during the remainder of the movement of the door. I

, 3. A door arranged to move vertically and laterally and mechanism for supporting and swinging the door, said mechanism includand lower edgesfor supporting and swinging the door, said meansbeing variable in length during the vertical rise of the top of the door andfixed in length during the. re-

mainder of the door movement.

5.. A door arranged to move vertically and laterally and mechanism for supporting and swinging the door, said mechanism including means connected with the door arranged to have itseffective length varied during the part of the movement of the door when the top of the door has a vertical component of movement and fixeddurmg the remainder of the lateral door movement, and stationary means engaging the upper part of the door for guiding that part of the door during the part of the movement of the door when the top of the door has a vertical component of movement. H p

6. A door arranged to move vertically and laterally, and mechanism including flexible means connected to the door intermediate: its

upper and lower edges for supporting andf .swmgmgthe door, arrangedto have its effective length varied during the part'of the movement of the door when the top of the door has avertical component of movement and'fixed during the remainder of the lateral door movement.

7. A door arranged forvertical and lateral movement, mechanism for supporting and swinging the door, said mechanism comprising a cable connected to the door interme diate the upper and lower edges thereof. counterbalancing means connected to said cable and operative during the vertical rise of the top of the door andmeans for bold ing saidcable against longitudinal movement during the swingingot the door.

8. A door arranged for vertical and lateral movement, a flexible cable connected to the door intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof, counterbalancing means connected to said cable and means for retaining a part of said cable against longitudinal movement during a portion of the movement of the door.

eral movement, a flexible cable connected to the door intermediate the upper and lower edges thereof, counterbalancing meansconnected to said cable and operative during the initial portion of the door opening movement and means for retaining the portion of said cable between the counterweight and 9. Adoor arrangedfor vertical and lat! the door against longitudinal movement during the remaining portion of its opening movement. i

10. A door arranged for vertical and lateral movement, a cable connected to the door, a counterweight, a sheave torthe cable intermediate the counterweight and door and means for securing a part of the cable;v against longitudlnal movement at a prede termin-ed point in the opening movementof the door. I i

'11. A door comprising upper and lower sections, a counterweight, a sheave carrled thereby, a pair of sheaves mounted above the door, a cable passing under the counterweight sheave and over the pair of sheaves,

one end'ot the cable, being secured to one door SBCtlOIItIDCl the other end being connected to the other section, and means for securing one end portion of thecable against longitudinal movement at a predetermined point in the door opening movement.

12. Adoor comprising upper and lower sections, a counterweight, a sheave carried thereby, a pair of sheaves mounted above the door, a cable passing under the counter-- weight sheaveand over the pair of sheaves, one end of the cable belng secured to one door section and the other end beingconnected to the other section, and means for securing the portion of thecablebetween one sheave and the point of attachment to the upper door section against longitudinal movement at a predetermined point inthe door opening movement.

13.,A door comprising-upper and lower sections, a counterweight, a sheave carriedthereby, a pair of sheaves mounted above the door, a cable passing under the counter weight sheave and overthe pair of sheaves, one end of the cable being secured to one door section and the other end being connected to the other section and means for securing one of sa d pair of sheaves against movement at a predetermined pointin the door opening movement. 7

l t. A door arranged. for vertical and lateral movement, a counterweight associated therewith, a cable connecting the counterweight to: the door and, means en 'gageable with the cable operative at a pre{ determined point in the door opening movement for securing a' part of said cable against longitudinal movement.

15(A door arranged for vertical and lateral movement, means connected with the door for guiding the door laterallyand counterbalancing .means connected with the door through said connectedmeans and arranged to operate on the door through said means during the vertical door movement only.

16. A door arranged for vertical and lateral movement, means connected with the door for guiding the door laterally and counterbalancing means connected with the door through said connected means and arranged to exert a lifting force on the door through said connected means during a. portion only of the door opening movement.

17. A door arranged for vertical and lateral movement, Ineansconnected and movable with the door for guiding the door laterally and counterbalancing means connected with the door through said connected means and arranged to exert a lifting force on, the door through said connected means during the portion of the door movement when the top of the door has a vertical component of movement.

18. A door arranged for vertical and lateral movement, means connected and movable with the door for guiding the door laterally and counterbalancing means connected with the door through said connectedmeans and arranged to exert a lifting force on the door through said connected means during the portion of the door movement when the top of the doorhas a vertical component of movement, and stationary means engaging.

the upper part of the door for guiding that part of the door during the part of the movement of the door when the top of the door has a vertical component of movement.

19. A door arranged for vertical and lateral movement, a sheave mounted* above the path of travel of the door, a counterweight, a cable connecting the counterweight and door and passing over said sheave and means including an inclined socket and a member carried by the cable between the sheave and door for limiting the upward movement of a portion ofthe cable at a predetermined point in the door opening movement.

20. A door arranged to move vertically .andlaterally, a counterweight, a connection sections arranged to move together vertically and laterally, a count'erbalancing mechanism comprising a counterweight, a connection between the. counterweight and the upper door section arranged to produce an upward pull on the upper door section, and meansfor arresting the movement of said connection at a predetermined part of themovement of the two door sections.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of' September, 1922.

CHARLES C. TOMKINSON, I 

